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The year 2025 has witnessed significant developments in the exchange of prisoners and bodies between Ukraine and Russia, focusing on humanitarian efforts to repatriate fallen soldiers and release captives. These exchanges have been frequently reported, with more than 10,000 fallen Ukrainian soldiers returned from the front lines. Notable exchanges involved high-profile individuals, such as former Kherson mayor Volodymyr Mykolaienko and journalists Dmytro Khyliuk and Mark Kaliush, who were released from Russian captivity. The exchanges, which included military personnel and civilians held since 2022, reflect ongoing negotiation efforts, often facilitated by meetings in Istanbul. These humanitarian acts aim to bring relief to affected families and demonstrate Ukraine's commitment to fulfilling agreements despite challenges in negotiations and logistical obstacles. With talks continuing, both countries strive to honor their commitments and facilitate further exchanges.

How many fallen soldiers' bodies have been repatriated to Ukraine in 2025?

In 2025, Ukraine has successfully repatriated over 10,000 bodies of fallen soldiers from various front sectors. These efforts are part of broader humanitarian agreements with Russia, aiming to honor and bring closure to the families of the deceased.

Who were among the key figures released in the latest prisoner exchanges?

The latest exchanges included notable figures such as former Kherson mayor Volodymyr Mykolaienko and journalists Dmytro Khyliuk and Mark Kaliush. Such exchanges highlight the significance of ongoing negotiations and the humanitarian focus of these efforts.

What is the current state of prisoner exchange talks between Ukraine and Russia?

Prisoner exchange talks between Ukraine and Russia are ongoing, with recent meetings in Istanbul setting the stage for future negotiations. These talks aim to address the release of thousands of prisoners and the repatriation of soldiers' bodies, reflecting a complex yet hopeful diplomatic process.

How often have exchanges of prisoners occurred between Ukraine and Russia in 2025?

In 2025, numerous exchanges of prisoners have taken place between Ukraine and Russia, involving military personnel and civilians. These exchanges have been facilitated by high-level negotiations and aim to resolve long-standing issues related to detainees and deceased soldiers.

What challenges face the negotiations for prisoner exchanges between Ukraine and Russia?

Negotiations for prisoner exchanges face several challenges, including discrepancies in lists of detainees, logistical hurdles, and the need for mutual agreements on the terms and conditions of exchanges. Both sides seek to overcome these obstacles to achieve humanitarian outcomes.

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swap 4306 Ukrainians have already been brought back from Russian captivity – Lubinets Since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, 4306 Ukrainians have been brought back from Russian captivity. 881 1 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

POW swap took place on 19 March. Ukraine returns 197 soldiers Ukraine brings back 175 POWs and 22 severely wounded defenders. VIDEO&PHOTOS Ukraine brought back 175 POWs from Russian captivity, as well as 22 severely wounded defenders. 13 820 22 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

Zelenskyy 175-for-175 prisoner swap was prepared in advance – Zelenskyy The 175-for-175 prisoner swap between Ukraine and Russia, which was discussed during a phone conversation between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian dictator Vladimir Putin, had been planned in advance. 2 735 8 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

Trump - Putin negotiations Putin backed Trump’s idea for Russia and Ukraine to mutually refrain from striking on energy infrastructure for 30 days – Kremlin The Kremlin has revealed the details of a telephone conversation between US President Donald Trump and Russian dictator Vladimir Putin. 9 186 61 Previously in trend: 30-day ceasefire Trump-Putin negotiations

Prisoner exchanges release missing persons Almost every exchange includes prisoners with status of missing persons - Lubinets In almost every exchange of prisoners of war with the Russian Federation, there are persons who have the status of missing under special circumstances. 906 1 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

Budanov told which prisoners are difficult to exchange Budanov regarding prisoner exchange: Certain categories of prisoners have become ’problematic’ for both Ukraine and Russia The head of the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine Kyrylo Budanov said that the exchange of certain categories of prisoners is difficult to perceive in the societies of Ukraine and Russia. 6 816 10 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

Prisoner exchange Ukraine is constantly promoting possibility of "all-for-all" exchange of prisoners with Russia - Coordination Center Ukraine has lists of citizens held in Russian captivity and is constantly promoting the possibility of an "all-for-all" exchange. 932 7

prisoners of war, exchange Russia does not want to exchange ’Azovs’ and marines, as it will suffer reputational losses after such exchanges - Coordination Center Russia does not want to give Ukraine the Azov and marines, and the situation with their return home remains complicated. 3 833 25

Zelenskyy calls for prisoner exchange during peace talks If we are talking about negotiations, we must also talk about exchange of prisoners, - Zelenskyy President Volodymyr Zelenskyy believes that if there is a will to end the war in Ukraine, then first of all, we need to talk about prisoner exchanges. 1 537 12 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap Peace negotiations

The exchange of prisoners took place on 5 February 2025 Ukraine returns 150 soldiers from Russian captivity (updated). PHOTOS Ukraine returned 150 defenders from Russian captivity. 13 667 29 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

hostages, liberation Hamas releases first three Israeli hostages under ceasefire agreement The Hamas group handed over three Israeli hostages to the Red Cross. The hostages were released as part of a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas that came into force on January 19. 3 604 43

Coordination Center on the exchange of prisoners on January 15 Ukraine has achieved separate format for return of seriously ill and wounded prisoners, - Coordination Center on today’s exchange During today's exchange, 25 seriously ill and wounded prisoners were returned to Ukraine. 2 014 2 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

Ukraine returns 25 people from Russian captivity Ukraine returns 25 military and civilians from Russian captivity, - Zelenskyy. PHOTOS Ukraine returns 25 military and civilians from Russian captivity 6 222 8 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap War

Zelenskyy Ukraine is ready to hand over its captured soldiers to DPRK if Kim Jong-un organizes return of Ukrainian soldiers from Russian captivity - Zelenskyy. VIDEO President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Ukraine is ready to hand over its soldiers to DPRK dictator Kim Jong Un if he can arrange an exchange for our soldiers held captive in Russia. 9 834 80

Ombudsman Lubinets on prisoner exchanges with Russia in 2025 There is preliminary agreement with Russia that prisoner exchanges will become systematic in 2025 - Lubinets Exchanges of prisoners of war and civilians between Russia and Ukraine in 2025 should be systematic. 1 072 13

return from captivity In 2024, 356 more people were returned from Russian captivity than in 2023 - Coordination Center In 2024, Ukraine managed to return 356 more people from Russian captivity than in 2023. 427 2

Former Espresso journalist Roman Borshch returns from Russian captivity As part of today’s exchange, Ukrainian journalist Roman Borshch returned: he was held in Russian captivity for 33 months During the exchange of prisoners on December 30, former journalist of the Espresso TV channel and Mariupol defender Roman Borshch returned home. 7 081 1 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

On December 30, 11 soldiers of the 12th Azov Special Forces Brigade returned from Russian captivity. 11 soldiers of Azov Brigade have returned from Russian captivity, having endured nearly three years of harsh trials - Prokopenko During the exchange of POWs on Monday, December 30, 11 servicemen of the 12th Special Forces Brigade "Azov" returned to Ukraine from the Russian hell. 5 911 16

189 Ukrainians returned from captivity on New Year’s Eve 76 servicemen of Ministry of Internal Affairs returned from captivity as part of today’s exchange - Klymenko As part of the prisoner exchange between Russia and Ukraine on December 30, 76 servicemen of the Ministry of Internal Affairs returned home today. 1 948 8

189 Ukrainians returned from captivity on New Year’s Eve Five captured defenders of Chornobyl NPP returned to Ukraine today - Ministry of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources During the prisoner exchange between Russia and Ukraine on December 30, 5 defenders of the Chornobyl nuclear power plant returned home. 2 199 13

Coordination Center on the exchange of prisoners of war on December 30 One of largest exchanges since beginning of full-scale invasion took place today, 173 privates and sergeants and 14 officers were released - Coordination Center. VIDEO&PHOTOS On Monday, 30 December, 189 citizens were released and returned to Ukraine from Russian captivity. Among those who returned are prisoners of war in the Kursk region, civilians, and National Guardsmen from the Chornobyl nuclear power plant. 7 524 21

189 Ukrainians returned from captivity on New Year’s Eve Ukraine returns 189 defenders from Russian captivity. PHOTOS On New Year's Eve, 30 December, Ukraine returned 189 Ukrainian soldiers from Russian captivity. 11 768 12 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

Bodies of 503 defenders were returned to government-controlled territories Ukraine returns bodies of 503 fallen soldiers The bodies of 503 fallen Ukrainian defenders have been returned to the territory controlled by Ukraine. 2 479 5 Previously in trend: War

Yevhen Matveev Russians tortured mayor of Dniprorudne Matveev in captivity, his body was handed over during last exchange. PHOTO The Russian occupiers tortured the mayor of Dniprorudne, Zaporizhzhia region, Yevhen Matveev, in captivity. 12 697 16

повернення з полону Ukraine returned 95 defenders from Russian captivity - Zelenskyy. VIDEO Ukraine has released 95 soldiers from Russian captivity, including Azovstal defenders. 11 408 23 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

Катар оголосив про угоду щодо обміну дітьми між Україною та РФ Qatar announces agreement with Ukraine and Russia to exchange 13 children: Lubinets denies information (updated) Qatar announced that it had reached an agreement with Ukraine and Russia to exchange under its auspices thirteen children displaced by the war. 2 487 21

51 працівник системи МВС повернувся з полону Among released prisoners today are 51 employees of Ministry of Internal Affairs - Klymenko. PHOTO Today, 103 Ukrainian soldiers, including 51 police officers, returned home as part of the exchange. 3 952 10

Полонені росіяни We continue to replenish exchange fund, - Syrskyi Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrskyi welcomed today's prisoner exchange, during which 103 soldiers returned to Ukraine. 5 558 7

звільнені полонені Today’s prisoner exchange was organized by UAE, - coordination headquarters. PHOTOS Today, 14 September 2024, another prisoner exchange took place. It was organised with the help of the United Arab Emirates. 2 869 4

З полону звільнили азовців Today, 23 more Azov fighters are returning to their homeland, - Head of Azov’s patronage service Tolkacheva Among those released from Russian captivity, 23 soldiers of the Azov Brigade returned home. They had been in captivity for more than two years. 4 052 55

звільнені полонені Vast majority of soldiers liberated today were held captive from first days of invasion, - Lubinets. VIDEO Today, 14 September 2024, another 103 Ukrainian soldiers returned home. For the second day in a row, prisoners of war have been exchanged. 6 169 12

звільнені полонені Another 103 Ukrainian soldiers returned from Russian captivity, - Zelenskyy. PHOTOS Today, on 14 September, Ukraine has returned over a hundred more servicemen from Russian captivity. 9 456 38

Серед звільнених з російського полону українців — кримськотатарська активістка Леніє Умерова, 23 women managed to return from Russian captivity, including Crimean Tatar activist Umerova - Coordination Centre As part of the 56th exchange of prisoners of war since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, 23 women were returned. 2 832 4 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

15 азовців вдалося визволити із російського полону For first time in long period of time, we managed to return 15 "Azov" soldiers from captivity - head of "Azov" patronage service Tolkacheva As part of the exchange of prisoners between Ukraine and Russia, 15 servicemen of the "Azov" regiment of NGU were released 5 571 19 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

Із російського полону визволено 49 громадян України 49 soldiers and civilians are released from Russian captivity, including "Azovstal" defenders - Zelenskyy. VIDEO&PHOTOS President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced the release of 49 Ukrainian citizens from Russian captivity. 10 366 31 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

Україна повернула з російського полону 115 воїнів Ukraine returns 115 defenders from Russian captivity (updated). PHOTOS On 24 August, Independence Day, Ukraine and Russia exchanged prisoners of war. 115 Ukrainian soldiers returned home. 21 325 86 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap War

Україна та РФ готують обмін полоненими 24 серпня Today, Ukraine and Russian Federation will hold major exchange, it is planned to release 115 military personnel - Reuters On Saturday, August 24, Ukraine and Russia will exchange 115 prisoners through the mediation of the United Arab Emirates. 3 879 10 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap War

Дмитро Лубінець Lubinets on exchange of prisoners: Consultations are underway with help of partners Ukraine, with the help of its partners, is holding consultations on the return of its citizens from Russian captivity. 799 5

Дмитро Лубінець In near future, exchange of prisoners in "all for all" format with Russia will not take place, despite operation of Ukrainian forces in Kursk region of Russian Federation - Lubinets The operation of the Armed Forces in the Kursk region of Russia improves the situation with the return of Ukrainian citizens from the territory of the Russian Federation and from the occupied territories of Ukraine. However, a quick all-for-all exchange is unlikely to happen anytime soon. 1 907 6

буданов Budanov announced principles by which negotiations on release of prisoners will be conducted. VIDEO The Chief of the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine Kyrylo Budanov announced the principles on which negotiations for the release of prisoners will be conducted. 17 104 46 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

Україна та Росія почали перемовини про обмін полоненими на Курщині Ukraine and Russia began negotiations on exchange of prisoners in Kursk region - FT Ukraine and the Russian Federation begin negotiations on a new exchange of prisoners captured by both sides during the operation of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the Kursk region. 8 711 34 Previously in trend: War

лубінець Russian Ombudsman Moskalkova initiates conversation with Lubinets on Russian prisoners from Kursk region The advance of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the Kursk region forced Russia to take the initiative in the exchange of prisoners. 10 132 40

Депортація Вадима Красікова Russian killer Krasikov was not pardoned by Germany, but deported - Die Welt The decision to deport the Russian killer Vadym Krasikov was made by the immigration authorities of the city of Straubing. They function outside the control of official Berlin. 4 907 11

Повернули тіла 250 полеглих захисників Bodies of 250 fallen defenders were returned to Ukraine As a result of repatriation measures, the bodies of the fallen defenders were returned to Ukraine from the Luhansk, Bakhmut, Marinka, Avdiivka, Kherson, Zaporizhzhia directions, as well as from Mariupol, Horlivka and from morgues in the Russian Federation. 5 208 10 Previously in trend: War

До США прибули американці, звільнені в рамках обміну з РФ Large-scale exchange of prisoners between West and Russia: plane with Americans landed in USA. PHOTOS A plane carrying US citizens released in Russia as part of a major exchange landed at Andrews Air Force Base near Washington. 10 507 42

олексій,навальний Sullivan: Navalny was planned to be exchanged as part of deal with Russia Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, who died in prison in February, was to be released as part of a large-scale prisoner exchange that took place on Thursday, August 1, 3 174 23

Байден Biden officially announces successful prisoner exchange between Russia and Western countries US President Joe Biden has officially confirmed that a successful prisoner exchange took place between Western countries and Russia on Thursday, August 1. 4 823 23

обмін Turkey announces mediation between Russia and West in a large-scale prisoner exchange. 26 people are released Turkey has announced mediation between Russia and the West in the "largest prisoner exchange operation in recent times." As part of the operation, 26 prisoners were released who were held in prisons in seven different countries - the United States, Germany, Poland, Slovenia, Norway, Russia and Belarus. 8 362 25